Calculating and printing apparatus for meters.



NA-KOLAH. s:

CALCULATING AND PRINTING APPARATUS FOR METERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, 1 912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 11 TTORNEY Pa tented July 6,1915

N. KQLKR. I CALCULATING AND BRINTING APPARATUS FOR METERS.

APPLICATICN FILED NOV. l2. I912.

' Patented July 6, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR.

NANDOR KOLA BY 3 NC-M M ATTORNEY ,liw g APPLICATION HLEo.N0v.12,1912.

Patented July 6, 1915/ 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 ATTORNEY N. KQLAR.

CALCULATING AND PRINTING APPARATUS FOR METERS APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12'i912.

Patented July 6, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SIIEET 4.

NAN R EHM W L ATTORINI EY INVE TIJR I DOR K BY N. KOLAR.

' CALCULATING AND PRINT'ING APPARATUS FOR METERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, NHL

1,145,59 6. w Patented July 6,1915.

5 $HEETS-SHEET 5- lNvENToR NANDOR' LQOLAR wlT uasszs' N r l ATTORNEY:

in longitudinal, section.

NANDOB K0153, 0F BUDAPEST, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMETROGRAPHnnszvnnrrnnsasne, or nunnrns'r, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, A CORPORATION orHUNGARY.

CALCULATING AND PRINTING APPA RATUS FOR METERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1915.

Application filed November 12, 1912. Serial No. 731,023.

To all :uihom it may concern:

. Be'it known that I, NAND R KOLAR, manager,-a subject of the King ofHungary, re-

siding at Budapest; in theKingdom of Himgary, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Calculating and Printing Apparatus for Meters;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same.

Thepresent invention relates to apparatusfor calculating and printingthe corresponding monetary values from the counting trains of gas,electric, and like consumption meters and has for its object to insure'both reliability and durability andto prevent abuse while providing aconstruction ofthe most simple kind.

'- In the accompanying drawings two examples in construction of thecalculating.

and printing apparatus are illustrated the second {for an electricmeter.

Figure: 1', is a front view of the apparatus suitable for a gas meterwith the casing Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3'1s'a cross 'section on the line3-3,.and

; Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.; Fig. 5'sho'wsthe account or monetary value printed. Fig. 6 is a front view of theapparatus for electric meters. Fig. 7 is a detail view, and Fig. 8 adiagram'of the electrical connections. Figs. 9 and 10 Lshow-respectively in front elevation and V respectively cross-section onthe line 1010 of-Fig. 9 a modified construction of the cost printing andindicating train. Figs. 11 and 12 are side and front views of the frameserving for the insertion of the acv count form. Fig. 13 shows insection on the .ing to prevent abuse. Fig. 1 1 is a front line 13 -13of-Fig. 14 the safety device servview ofthe safety device shown in Fig.13.

. Fig. '15- illustrates one mode of connecting Y the calculating andprinting appa atus with 'the'counting train of a gas meter. Fig. 16

illustratesaconnection between the calcu- J lating and printingapparatus and a gas meter when considerable distance intervenes,

' v and Fig. 17shows.as an example one form of key" for manipulating theprinting apparatus being partly in section with the counting' train inelevation.

J lflef ipg to Figs. 15 of the accompanying drawings 1, 2, 3 are thespindles of the indicator of the usual counting train E of a gas. meterto which motion is transmitted in a known manner by a screwed spindle 4.By means of bevel wheels 5, 6, the screwed spindle 4 drives a countingtrain -F which consists of numbering disks 8, 9, 10 ad vanced step bystep and of a transfer disk. 7 connected with the bevel wheel 6. Thecounting train F may be per 83 of any desired well known construction}and is so devised that upon onerevolution of the transfor disk 7 thenumbering disk 8 is advanced by one number while the numbering disks 9and 10 are each advanced by a single number upon a complete revolutionof the disks 8 and 9 respectively. The forward move- .ment of the disksafter a complete revolution of theadjacent disk is effected in a knownmanner by the transfer wheels 11.

"The transfer wheels 11 as well as the disks indicated by the countingtrain E. Upon a change in the rate the calculating and printingapparatus can be adjusted to. the

' current rate by changing the wheels 5, 6, or

when a bevel wheelof suflicient width of tooth is employed by changingone of the bevel wheels. In case the price per unit of gas is not afractional part of a mark, then instead of a single numbering disk 8 forindicating the pfennigs two such numbering disks must be provided. Thebosses of' the numbering disks carr or are formed as heart-shaped, cams12 ee Fig. 4) with which resetting-levers 14 keyed upon a spin-' dle 13can engage. The spindle 13 carries two furtherlevers 15, 15 with thehookshapedends (see Fig. 3) on which rest the ends of the spindle 16which carries the transfer wheels 11. The ends of the spindle 16 alsopass through inclined slots 17 formed in the end walls of the framework.The numbering disks 8, 9, 10 are formed also as printing disks for whichthe plate 19 serves as a platen. In order thatthe numbering disk spindleduring printing should notbe injuriously affected a counter-pressurebearing plate 20 is provided and arranged parallel the platen 19. Aparallel movement is provided for the platen.19 .and been ing plate 20bv guide pins 21. Within the framework 0 the apparatus there are mountedupon. indles 22, 22 two eccentrics 23; the rods o. which are pivotallyconnectedpnithe one hand'with the platen 19 and on the other hand withthe bearing plate 20. y The spindles 22 are mounted in elongatedbearings 22" and can be rotated by means of the toothed wheels 24 fromthe spindle 25.; Upon the spindle-25' is mounted a ratchet wheel'26 withwhich engages a pawl27 permitting rotation of the sp1n-- dle "25. inone. direction only. Further a fin er 28 is mounted upon the spindle 25an adapted. engage with a surface 29 upon one'ot. the resetting levers14. One

end of thefj-lspindle 25 is squared opposite which end the casing 31 isprovided with a: keyehole 32throug-h which a key 33 can be passed; TheWards 34 of the key and the ycam'bepassed mto the apparatus in such a.'manner. as to rest against the platen 1 9.

be inserted andwithdrawn in a form'of the-key-hole insure that the keycan venosition only, The casing 31 is provided with a slot 35j-throughwhich a sheet36 of paper The; operation is as follows :--The sheet ofpaper-36 is pushedv through the slot 35 in the casinguntil its loweredge strikes a supporting stop 37 formed at the lower end of the platen19. The key 33 is pushed throu h'the key-hole 32 in the casing and ovent e squared spindle end 30. On turning the key the spindle 25 is rotatedin the direction of the arrow 38 (Fig. 4). The spindle 25 by means ofthe spur wheels 24 causes the spindles 22'to rotate which in their turnby means of the eccentrics 23 cause the'plates 19 and 20 to approach oneanother, the guide pins 21 insuring parali through 180. 'Thereupon thetwo plates lel'movement of the two plates. .By these means the sheet ofpaper 36 and the platen 19 are on" the one hand pressedagainst thenumbering disks 8, 9, 10-of the counting train Fwhereby the state of thecounting train F is printed off at the spot A on the sheet 36 of paper(Fig. 5) while on the other hand the plate 20 is pressed against thenumbering disks 8, 9, 10 at a diametrically opposite point soas to actas a counterbearin'g during printing and thus prevent the numbering diskspindle iromrbeing' injuriou'sly affected during the operationjQfprinting. The elongated bearings 22permit of a slight lateral movementofthe-spindles 22 'so'that equalization of pressure'on the two sides ofthe numbering disks is insured. Printing is effected by means of acarbon paper inserted at the same time with the sheet 36. The printingoperation is completed after the spindle 25 has been rotated 19, 20 moveaway from each other and the finger 28 on the spindle 25 engages withthe nose 29 on the lever 14 so that the spindle 13 together with the twolevers 15 are caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow 40 (Fig..3). As a result of the combined effect of the slot 17 and the inneredge of the levers 15 upon which the spindle 16 rests, the spindle 16-withthe transfer wheels 11 is raised so that the numbering disks 8',

9, 10 are released. The lever 14 is now pressed farther inward by thefinger 28 so that the free ends'of the resetting levers 14 after therelease of the numbering disks 8, 9, 10 engage the heartshaped cams 12and exert a pressure upon them'sufficient to return, in a manner knownper se, the heart shaped cams 12, togetheri'with the number ing disksconnected therewith, to zero position. When the key 33 and the spind e25 are turned farther, the finger-28 releases the lever 14 so that thespindle 13 returns under the influence of the spring 39 to its originalposition, which is determined by the engagement of a projection onthelever 15 withthe spindle 25 whereby the, wheels 11 are again causedto'engage with the numbering v disks nd the levels 14 removed from theheart-shaped cams12; When the key 33 and.

spindle. 25 has been rotated throu h 360 the key can be removed throughthe eyhole f andthe ap a'ratus'is thenin the original condition;

he sheet of paper 36, ca'n now be withdrawn. Upon this sheet whas been aprinted the amount payable forgconsu'mp count sheets ae y simultane I hserted in the apparatus hich as m" y serve as aniamcountifand receiptfor fihng'by the consumerjwhile: the other-sheet may be kept as arech'rd forthe distributing' 'depart. ment. The ratchet wheel '26and-pawl 2 prevent the keytfronr being. turnedgm the'f'filo sly? ioo

tionsince the ayment lastdie{ iwhile "the counting train. indi catmgthamount-has." been restored to, zero position. v

7 wrong direction. and from' 'being' 'withdrawn before the printingoperat omha's .been-coma pleted andJ-the counting tramiF returned a tozero position. Qn the pointers themselves, or on special arms on.thrrindic'ator spindles 1, 2, 3 of the counting tram E giving thecondition of the meter, needles 41 are arranged which, -upon theapplication of pressure} prick holes 45 (Fig. 5

in the. .sheet..-36".of paper and reproduce. the state.

" of the meter, at the moment of; printing,

upon the dials 42 onthe sheet 36 0f 'paper. 2

uof R count sheet appears as shown in Fig. 5, the 'jommon letter pressbeing omitted in this figure. The amount payable for consumpion-sincethe payment last due is shown at A,' the meter number at B the consumersnumber at C and at D the state of the meter is SllOWI1 'by the.perforations on the, dials 42 previously printed on the ac count sheet.

applicable to an electric meter and illustrated in Figs. 6-8, a separatetransfer mag et, A6 serves for advancing the printing counting train sothat, the calculating and I printing apparatus may not throw any load A'upon the electric meter.- Upon consumption- I of a. unit the meterclose'sa circuit toener- .g ze the transfer magnet 46 whlch by theattraction of its armature advances one or j lution energizes once themagnet'46. The echanism which serves to rotate the cir-" nit-breaker 48is shown at K, Fig. 6, in front elevation and in'Fig. 7 in plan. Upon hespindle 50 ofthe unit wheel of the countng trainjofthe meter is freelymounted an n'sulati'ng and contact drum 48 provided with contactsegments.51.- The drum 48 is connected to the spindle 50 by a spring 524Q and in such a manner that when the drum is "held up by the pin' 53and pawl 54 the spin: dle 50 rotating in the direction of the arrow 55places the spring 52 under tension. The pawl 5'4 is pivoted upon a pin56 and rig idl'y connected with a-;lever- 57 while a finger 58keyed faston the spindle 50 is adapted to cooperate with the lever 57. When the Uspindle50 putting the spring 52 under tension has completed a revolutionthe finger 58 50 presses the lever 57 outward so that the pawl 54'releases the pin 53 and the drum 48 un- -der the influence of thetension on the spring makes in a moment a complete revolu- *tion when itis stoppedby an arm 59 mounted on the spindle striking the pin 53. Dur-"-ing the revolution of'the drum 48 the-cur- 'rent circuit of the.magnet 46 is closed by the brushesj49 andcontact segment 51 so thatits-armature 60'is attracted. The armafi ture- 60carries a toothedsegment 61 which, when-the armatureis attracted, rotates a spur wheel 62through a given angle. This spuravheel transmits its motion by means of"a pawl -63 to a ratchet wheel 64with which La, bevel wheel65isconnected. vThis bevel In the calculatingand printing apparatusbeforethe disengagement.

"rapid motion by steps,

1,14a,5ee 3 wheel 65 engages with a bevel wheel 66 which drives thecounting train of the calculating and printing apparatus. It'wouldsuflice if the calculating and printing appara'tus comprised a singlecounting train F driven by gear wheels 67, 68, 69 and 70 and adapted toindicate the amount payable according to the current consumption. In theexample illustrated in Fig. 6, however, two additional counting trains Gand H are provided as printing mechanism, the counting train G beingdirectly driven by the spindle of the bevel wheel 66 and the countingtrain H being driven through the gear wheels 67, 68, 71. The countingtrain G shows the current state of the meter while the counting train Hshows the amount of electricity consumed since the last payment and mustaccordingly be returned, after the printing operation as well as thecounting train F giving the amount. payable to zero position. Both thecounting trains F and H are precisely the same as the counting train Fshown in Figs. 14. The remaining parts of the apparatus are likewiseessentially the same as the corresponding parts in the constructionalform described with reference to. Figs. 14. On printing, the state ofall three countin trains as well as both numbers B and & are printed oifwhereupon both counting trains F and H are automatically returned tozero position. When the rice of a unit is altered the wheels 69 and 0are for example changed so that the motion transmitted to the countingtrain F always corresponds to the current unit'rate.

As already explained, on resetting the mechanism I for indicating themonetary value the transfer wheels 11 are Withdrawn from the teeth ofthe numberingdisks. In order to hold the transfer wheels in position,during the time they are out of engagement with the numbering disksthere is provided as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 a guiding device whichholds the transfer wheels 11 fast in the position in which they were inThis guide as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 consists of two wires which arestretched across the frame 18 parallel to each other and in such amanner that one tooth on the transfer wheels 11. enters between the twowires 94 before the transfer wheels pass out of engagement with thenumbering disks. Figs. 9 and 10 further show a device of simpleconstruction whereby the counting train can be adjusted to correspondwith different unit rates, the first. numbering disk 95 which indicatesthe smallest monetary unit always receiving a The essential feature ofthis device resides herein that in front of the first numbering disk 95and coupled therewith by means of a transfer wheel 11, there is mountedafloose disk 96 which is provided with a number of transfer teeth 97corresponding to the unit rate and which is coupled with the drivingwheel 6 or with the driving spindle of the counting train by means of aspring 98, whlch 1s sub jected totensi'orrwhen the driving spindle isrotated whilethe loose disk. 96 is held up by a catch released at eachrevolution of 96 and on the other hand to the boss 104, is

placed under tension while the pin 102 is pressed against the shoulder10]. on the pawl .100, 'A nose 108 on the boss 104 of the driving wheel6 at" each revolution presses back thepawl 100 so that the pin l02slidesoff the shoulder 101 and the disk 96 under the influence of the tensionon the spring 98 makes a completerevolution during which the teeth 97 onthe transfer disk 96 by means of the transfer wheel 11 advances thefirst numbering disk 95 ,by as i many units as the transfer disk 96 hasteeth.

x printing off of the account a framefll'nay When the unit rate isaltered all that is re quired is a change in the transfer disk 96. Inorder to facilitate the insertion and conveniently be employedconsisting of two portions pivoted. together at 72, and adapted to snaptogether of which one portion forming the rear wall 73"is solid with the9X- ception of openings 75 corresponding-with the dials 42 (Fig. 5)while the other por is mounted a ratchet wheel 76 with whibh 'tionforming the front wall 74 consists of a narrow frame adapted to holddown the edges of the account form when insertedihetween thetwoportions. The frame being opened the account form is placed betweenthe two portions 73, 74, whereupon the two portions of the frame aresnapped together. .When the account is to be printed the frame isinserted in the slot/85 (Fig. 3) of the apparatus so that the frameportion 74: faces the printing mechanism. To avoid misuse a catch may beemployed adapted to stop rotation of the spindle 25 before the print ingoperation can be eilected and which can 1 only be released when theproper key ha and 14, as an example.

the account form. On the spindle 25 there .the pawl 77 engages so thatthe spindle can he turned by means of the key in one direction only." onthefront end of the spindle 25 is mounted adisk 7 8 which is providedwitha tooth 79 and which is arrested after 7 rotation through a smallangle by a pawl 80 the noses 90 on the flap 87.

engaging with the tooth 79. Upon the disk 78 is mounted a sleeve 81adapted to receive the wards of the key and arranged to extend to thewall of the casing 31 so as to shutoff all passage through the key-holeto the interior of the apparatus. The sleeve is open at the side 82.Beneath the spindle 25 several holding levers 8d are arranged so as torotate about a pivot pin 83 and provided with slots 85 into whichextends :1. Portion 86 or tonglue of the pawl 80 bent at right angles.

he holding levers prevent vibration of the pawl 80. The slot 35 isclosed by a flap 87 pivoted to'the casing 31 and connected to the pawl80 by a rod 88. The spindle 25 carries two segments 89 adapted to engagenoses-90 on the flap 87' so that the flap is firmly held in the closedposition. w

The mode of operation is as follows The position of rest of the variousparts is as shown in Fig. 13, the position of the keyhole correspondingwith the position of the sleeve 81. The keyafter insertion throughthe-key-hole 32 into the sleeve 81 can be turned in the direction of thearrow 106 (Fig. 13) carrying with, it the sleeve '81 and spindle 25.During this movement the wards of the key operate on the portions 91 ofthe holding levers 84 so that the letter by means of the appropriate keyare severally pressed down to such an extent that the slot 92 of eachholding lever is located opposite the tongue 86 on the pawl 80.Simultaneously the tooth 79 on the disk 78 strikes the pawl 80 so thatthe key cannot be turned farther. At this moment the segments 89 havebeen turned suflicientl y far to release I Pressure is now applied tothe flap 87 by means of the frame 73, 74, holding the account form, soas to open the flap and also by means of the connecting rod 88 to pressthe pawl 80 backout of the path of the tooth7 9- and thus release thedisk 78. The frame 73, 74 can now be pushed into the apparatua'thespindle 25 rotated further by meaiis of the key and "the printing of theaccount accomplished,

Should afalse key beinserted the holding levers 84. w0uld not take'upsuch a position as to permit of the yielding of the pawl,

80 so that neither coiildthe flap 87 be depressed nor thedisk'78-releasedi The-key cannot therefore; be turned farther around and thebackward turning ofthe key is prevented by'the ratchet'whe'el 76. As thekey has been already turned so far that the I I wards are no longer"opposite the key-hole 32 the key cannot be removed and is held fast inthe apparatus sothatit may lead to 1125 the identification of the.operator. .After. i

printing, the frame"73,i74 isremoved from theapparatuswhereuponthespring 93re-r turns the 'pawlf80' to its positionofrest-thus I closingthe flap 87. After-turning the key through 360 it can be withdrawn.Meanwhile the segments 89 have secured the When .the calculating andprinting ap- -=paratus isto be applied on the spot to an with the gearWheel 5 which drives the counting train of the calculating and printingapparatus. The employment of a flexi ble shaft 110 between the literdrum 107 and the driving wheel;5 permits of the gas meter G (Fig. 16)being located at aconsiderable distance from the calculating andprinting apparatus by providing a corresponding length of flexible shaftwithin a tube 113.

In order to avoid, or render evident, misuse of the key intended foroperating the calculating and printing apparatus, the key is providedwith a counting train adapted to register each use of the key. Fig. 17shows as an example one mode of construct ing such a key. As shown inFig. 17 a pin 116 connected with a pawl 11'? is located within'the shaft11% of the key so as to be capable of axial movement against the influence' of a spring 115. Each time the key is inserted through thekey-hole 32 (Fig.

' 1d) the end 30 of the spindle 25 presses the pin 116 of the key inwardwhereby the pawl 117 advances the unit wheel 118 of the counting trainby one unit. The tens and hundreds wheels 119 and 120 respectively ofthe counting train are advahced, after one revolution each, by one stepin a known manner by the units and, tens wheels respectively. Lockingpawls (not shown) prevent backward movement of the numbering wheels.Obviously the counting train can. be furnished with more than threenumbering wheels. I

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.;In a "calculating and printing apparatus, the combination of aplurality of numbering disks; a platen adaptetd to engage one part ofthe periphery of the disks; a counter bearing adapted to engage thediametrically opposite part of said periphery; and'means for causingrelative motion between said platen and counter bearing.

2. In a printing apparatus, the combination of a printing disk; a platenadapted to engage a point on the periphery of the disk; a counterbearing adapted to engage a substantially diametrically opposite pointof said periphery; and means for causing relative motion between saidplaten and counter bearing.

3. In a calculating printing appara tus, the combination of. a countingtrail;

having numbering disks having intermit tent movement; means by whichprinting may be eifected .at a part of the disks; and

a counter bearing; and means for pressing the counter bearing againstthe periphery of the disks diametrically opposite to said part.

4. In a calculating and printing apparatus, I the combination of aplurality of numbering disks; a platen adapted to be moved toward theperiphery of the disks at one part; a ounter bearing adapted to bepushed against the disk at apart diametrically opposite to the firstnamed part; a yieldably mounted spindle; eccentrics secured thereon atdifi'ercnt angles; and means connecting the counter bearing and platento the eccentrics.

5. In a calculating and-printing apparatus, the combination of aplurality of numbering disks; a platen adapted to be moved toward theperiphery of the disks at one part; a counter bearing adapted to bepushed against the disk at a part diametrically opposite to the firstnamed part; a yieldably mounted spindle; eccentrics secured thereon atsubstantially 180 apart,

and means connecting the eccentrics to the counter bearing and platen.

6. In a calculating and printing .apparatus, the combination of printingdisks; a device coiiperating therewith for effecting the printing; meansoperated by a key for {operating said device for effecting the pr1ntingand for resetting the disks to zero; a part rotatable in one directiononly by the key; a catch adapted to hold said part against movementafter 'the key has been turned far enough to prevent its withdrawal; andmeans for preventing the release of said catch and permitting itsrelease when engaged by the wards of a proper 'key.

7. In a calculating and printing apparatus, the combination of printingdisks; a device coiiperating therewith for effecting -the printing;means operated by ak ey for drawal; means for preventing the release ofsaid catch and permitting its release whet engaged by the wards of aproper key;

means for holding the account to be printed;

a closure for said means; and an operative connection between saidclosure and said catch.

8. In a calculating and printing appa 11313101101? a train of numberingdisks; a loose transfer disk provided with a number of transfer teethequal to the rate unit;

a transfer wheel connecting the transfer disk with the numbering disk ofthe small-- est denomination; a driving spindle; a. spring connectingthe driving spring with the transfer disk and pressing the transfer diskforwardly; a catch normally holding.

the transfer disk against I forward movement; and means operativelyconnected to the driving spindle for releasing the catch on eachrevolution of the driving spindle. i

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this Specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

NANDOR KOLAR.

. Witnesses:

EUGENE -HARRAM, Clams MESSENGER.

